[Closed] It's A Date! Well...Sort Of.

[wavesandthunder]

Characters: Jyuushirou Ukitake and Zeetha
Content: Some friendly conversation and dinner.
Setting: Starting on the Amestris, heading into town.
Time: Evening, after sabotage is done
Warning: None

Comments

[daughterofchump]

Zeetha felt that warm electric stomach-flipping lift that made her think something was changing in her life. It was as intense as the sudden rushes of adrenaline one felt when in danger, that the world was possibly about to change in a really terrifying way, you were going to lose a limb, or your life, or someone you cared about. But this kind of change gave you the opposite things, an unexpected sword to protect your back, the addition of someone to care about, the promise of new memories in new places. A companion to travel and share with, and maybe more.

"No," she said, looking up at him, not really shy, but with the special kind of warmth that she saved for special people, slightly softer. "I was always moving, always looking. I can't really remember when I stopped, and gave up on seeing my home again."

She looked down at the ground, worrying her lip slightly as she thought, trying to articulate her feelings. "But...after a while, it becomes hard work, not having a life. I guess when I started working on ships, it was harder not to get involved with my surroundings."

She looked back up, giving him a little smile. "It does seem like you're the kind of guy that makes friends easily," she said. "There's something very family-like about you."

[wavesandthunder]

Jyuushirou could feel a warmth pool in his stomach that was maybe the drinks they'd been having and maybe that smile she had given him, and most likely a little of both. Either way, though, it was a good feeling, reflecting itself in the smile he returned.

"I suppose I am - I've been accused of being too trusting in the past." It was hard for him not to see the good in everyone, though. Even when he'd been hurt by it a few times. And making friends made it easier to fit in - a coping mechanism for his weaknesses. But he did genuinely like people.

[daughterofchump]

Accused...yes, that fit in with the way her family thought about trust.

"I suppose trust is most dangerous to those who have it," she allowed.

If she had lived another life, Zeetha might easily have been too trusting herself. As it was, she was simply a person who wanted to trust, even though she understood how dangerous it could be.

That was something about him that attracted her, that quality of being trusting. She wanted someone who trusted her, and someone that she could trust in return. It was more peaceful that way, more peaceful and more simple.

"But..." Oh dear, she wasn't going to say something horribly cheesy, was she? She tried to think of a way to sum up her feelings that sounded more mature.

"That's one of the risks you have to take. If you don't have anyone you can trust, life's pretty miserable."

That...probably was not it.

[wavesandthunder]

Jyuushirou nodded. "It's true - on both counts, I think." His smile fell a little. "I can't say I've never been hurt by opening myself up to others." Both by betrayals, and other, more permanent losses.

"But... I think I also can't honestly say I'd have gotten this far without the support of others." He grinned slightly. "Pure stubbornness only takes one so far." His family, his friends, his mentor at the academy - each had helped him in their own ways. Even if he'd initially been a little grudging about accepting it.